VILLAGERS have launched a fight to save their pub which has been boarded up for more than a year.

Residents packed into Church Minshull's village hall on Monday to register their disgust at plans to build eight houses on land surrounding The Badger in Over Road.

They say the 18th Century coaching inn, boarded up after being closed 16 months ago, is vital to the community.

Developer Vitaland Ltd, which specialises in restoring old pubs, has purchased the site with a view to reopening The Badger after an extensive refurbishment.

But residents say the plans would cut the pub's car parking spaces by three-quarters, meaning it will lose out on vital passing trade.

Villager and Nantwich hotelier Phil Martin said: 'Nobody at the meeting was in favour of the plans and the general feeling was that this would be the end of The Badger.

'The plans show the car park would be cut to about 10 spaces which is just not feasible. The pub can't be sustained purely by the locals.'

He added: 'I explained to residents that whoever took over should be allowed some development, for example, a small hotel next to it for visitors to stay over in the village.

'But that developer should work in partnership with the parish council to ensure the village doesn't lose the asset of The Badger.'

Church Minshull's borough councillor Penny Butterill says the future of the pub is her main concern.

Church Minshull Parish Council chairman Peter Harper added: 'A very successful meeting was held in Church Minshull village hall with an excellent attendance of villagers. It was voted unanimously that the development was unacce ptable.'

John Jones of DWA Architects, acting on behalf of Vitaland, said the applicant understands the proposed development will reduce the number of existing car parking spaces, but added: 'We are looking to get the right balance for the sustainability of the pub and the village itself.

'We feel we can provide 18 spaces which will be adequate for passing trade as the majority of people using the facility are in walking distance.'

The application is to be considered by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council next month.

* The deadline for objections to be received is Wednesday, February 28. The address is Planning Division, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe CW1 2BJ.